The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project


Starring:John Lithgow, Richard Council, Robert Schenkkan, Paul Austin, Adrian Sparks, Curt Dempster, Bran Ferren, Christopher Collet, Jill Eikenberry, Cynthia Nixon, Gregg Edelman, Abraham Unger, Robert Sean Leonard, David Quinn, Geoffrey Nauffts, Katherine Hiler, Trey Cummins, Steve Borton, Harlan Cary Poe, Ned Schmidtke
Director: Marshall Brickman
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Directed and cowritten by Woody Allen collaborator Marshall Brickman, this comedy-thriller doesn't seem to know where it wants to go or what it wants to say (other than, obviously, nuclear weapons are scary things). Christopher Collet plays an overachieving high school student who decides to show just how dangerously easy it is to construct a nuclear device. He builds one for his science fair, using his mother's relationship with a government official (John Lithgow) to sneak into a secret facility and steal plutonium. When the feds find out what's going on, they overreact in a brutish showdown that threatens nuclear annihilation of everyone within a 10-mile radius. While the movie makes some antinuke points and features a strong performance by Lithgow, it seems a little too breezy, given what's going on. --Marshall Fine
The Manhattan Project (Special Edition)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The movie has even more resonance after the cold war in an age of threatened suitcase bombs
 The Manhattan Project (Special Edition)
Starring: Paul Austin , Sully Boyar , Dan Butler , Timothy Carhart , and Al Cerullo
Director: Marshall Brickman
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
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Carhart, TimothyCarhart, Timothy | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Collet, ChristopherCollet, Christopher | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Edelman, GreggEdelman, Gregg | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Eikenberry, JillEikenberry, Jill | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Jenkins, RichardJenkins, Richard | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Brickman, MarshallBrickman, Marshall | ( B ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000OY9V98
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Description

In this nail-biting thriller, Paul (CHRISTOPHER COLLET), a bright 16-year-old, discovers that his mother's boyfriend Dr. Mathewson (JOHN LITHGOW) is refining plutonium undercover, right in their neighborhood. Intent on exposing the secret weapons factory, Paul steals some plutonium with the help of his girlfriend (CYNTHIA NIXON) and constructs his own atomic bomb. By the time Dr. Mathewson discovers the plutonium is missing and informs the government, the device is built - but the timer inadvertently turns on, beginning a countdown to nuclear catastrophe. Suspenseful to the last few seconds, this intriguing, provocative story takes its name from the real Manhattan Project in the 1940s that brought about the development of the first nuclear weapon used in World War II.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars The movie has even more resonance after the cold war in an age of threatened suitcase bombs.......2007-04-12

While the central character in this movie is a teenager, a very smart teenager, it isn't anything like the other "science fair" movies you have seen. True, what the kid does he wants to show at a science fair and the other smart kids there have a bit of a role in the plot in addition to their purpose of adding some color and comic relief.

John Lithgow plays Dr. John Matthewson. A new business moves to town and he befriends Elizabeth Stevens (Jill Eikenberry). He takes a shine to her brilliant teenage son Paul (Christopher Collet). One of the interesting aspects of the movie is the suble way we are shown how bright Paul is and how they use his girlfriend to make him very sympathetic and human. When Paul is given a tour of the facility, he quickly sees through the cover story and decides to expose them. Now, the plan he concocts is quite over the top, but he decides to build his own, small, atomic bomb.

Paul's girlfriend, Jenny Anderman (Cynthia Nixon), helps him by distracting some folks while Paul gets his hands on the key ingredient. Again, what Paul then goes through in attempting to build the device is quite interesting, but not really possible for even a genius without very specialized equipment. It isn't the kind of stuff one can simply build on one's own. But we suspend disbelief for the movie.

Things escalate and the final sequence, of course, involves Matthewson and Paul and a bunch of government types inside the facility. This is where the plot has to ride on our sympathy for Paul. In real life, I would suspect, and in fact I would hope that once the realized that Paul hadn't yet armed his device that they would kill him before he could. But that would be too harsh for a Hollywood movie. One simply doesn't kill good boys who have done something stupid even if they are going to accidentally on purpose blow up an entire city and poison a couple of small states downwind.

Still, it is a pretty good thriller and Lithgow and Eikenberry bring good adult maturity to the story without becoming villains or fools. I enjoyed that. And Collet and Nixon do have a very caring and human relationship. While the movie isn't, in the end, realistic, it isn't a cartoon either.

A quite good movie that still holds up after the cold war. In fact, in our age of terrorism and the threat of suitcase bombs, it probably has an even louder ring to it.
Modern Marvels - The Manhattan Project (History Channel)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Modern Marvels - The Manhattan Project (History Channel)
    Starring: Modern Marvels
    Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    ASIN: B000AABL5I
    Release Date: 2005-09-27

    Description

    At 5:30 a.m., July 16, 1945, scientists and dignitaries awaited the detonation of the first atomic bomb in a desolate area of the New Mexico desert aptly known as Jornada del Muerto--Journey of Death. Dubbed the Manhattan Project, the top-secret undertaking was tackled with unprecedented speed and expense--almost $30-billion in today's dollars. Los Alamos scientists and engineers relate their trials, triumphs, and dark doubts about building the ultimate weapon of war in the interest of peace.
    The Manhattan Project
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • The movie has even more resonance after the cold war in an age of threatened suitcase bombs
    • This movie still holds up after 20 years
    • Best Teen Movie I've Seen in a While!!!!
    • Truly HILARIOUS movie!
    • manhattan project movie review
    		 The Manhattan Project
    Starring: John Lithgow , Richard Council , Robert Schenkkan , Paul Austin , and Adrian Sparks
    Director: Marshall Brickman
    Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
    Comic ActionComic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
    SuspenseSuspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
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    GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
    Collet, ChristopherCollet, Christopher | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Edelman, GreggEdelman, Gregg | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Eikenberry, JillEikenberry, Jill | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Leonard, Robert SeanLeonard, Robert Sean | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Lithgow, JohnLithgow, John | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Nixon, CynthiaNixon, Cynthia | ( N ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Schenkkan, RobertSchenkkan, Robert | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Sparks, AdrianSparks, Adrian | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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    ASIN: B000063JDL
    Release Date: 2002-06-04

    Amazon.com

    Directed and cowritten by Woody Allen collaborator Marshall Brickman, this comedy-thriller doesn't seem to know where it wants to go or what it wants to say (other than, obviously, nuclear weapons are scary things). Christopher Collet plays an overachieving high school student who decides to show just how dangerously easy it is to construct a nuclear device. He builds one for his science fair, using his mother's relationship with a government official (John Lithgow) to sneak into a secret facility and steal plutonium. When the feds find out what's going on, they overreact in a brutish showdown that threatens nuclear annihilation of everyone within a 10-mile radius. While the movie makes some antinuke points and features a strong performance by Lithgow, it seems a little too breezy, given what's going on. --Marshall Fine

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars The movie has even more resonance after the cold war in an age of threatened suitcase bombs.......2007-04-12

    While the central character in this movie is a teenager, a very smart teenager, it isn't anything like the other "science fair" movies you have seen. True, what the kid does he wants to show at a science fair and the other smart kids there have a bit of a role in the plot in addition to their purpose of adding some color and comic relief.

    John Lithgow plays Dr. John Matthewson. A new business moves to town and he befriends Elizabeth Stevens (Jill Eikenberry). He takes a shine to her brilliant teenage son Paul (Christopher Collet). One of the interesting aspects of the movie is the suble way we are shown how bright Paul is and how they use his girlfriend to make him very sympathetic and human. When Paul is given a tour of the facility, he quickly sees through the cover story and decides to expose them. Now, the plan he concocts is quite over the top, but he decides to build his own, small, atomic bomb.

    Paul's girlfriend, Jenny Anderman (Cynthia Nixon), helps him by distracting some folks while Paul gets his hands on the key ingredient. Again, what Paul then goes through in attempting to build the device is quite interesting, but not really possible for even a genius without very specialized equipment. It isn't the kind of stuff one can simply build on one's own. But we suspend disbelief for the movie.

    Things escalate and the final sequence, of course, involves Matthewson and Paul and a bunch of government types inside the facility. This is where the plot has to ride on our sympathy for Paul. In real life, I would suspect, and in fact I would hope that once the realized that Paul hadn't yet armed his device that they would kill him before he could. But that would be too harsh for a Hollywood movie. One simply doesn't kill good boys who have done something stupid even if they are going to accidentally on purpose blow up an entire city and poison a couple of small states downwind.

    Still, it is a pretty good thriller and Lithgow and Eikenberry bring good adult maturity to the story without becoming villains or fools. I enjoyed that. And Collet and Nixon do have a very caring and human relationship. While the movie isn't, in the end, realistic, it isn't a cartoon either.

    A quite good movie that still holds up after the cold war. In fact, in our age of terrorism and the threat of suitcase bombs, it probably has an even louder ring to it.

    4 out of 5 stars This movie still holds up after 20 years.......2007-03-06

    I have fond memories of watching this movie in the mid-80s. I liked it then, and I still like it now. If you can get past the cheesy plot, it is a very enjoyable adventure, with a few valid messages about the dangers of secrecy and nuclear technology. The quality of the video and audio is excellent, but I was disappointed that there were no extras included on this DVD. Regardless, this movie was out of print for quite some time, so it's nice to see it released on DVD. Watch it for the characters and their interaction, but don't expect the plot to be terribly plausible.

    5 out of 5 stars Best Teen Movie I've Seen in a While!!!!.......2007-02-03

    This movie, though unrealistic in many aspects, is great and unpredictable. It's not the typical teen movie where the teens are shallow, accomplish nothing and talk exceedingly dirty. This has substance and thrills, and some smart kids to figure it all out! They defy all teenage stereo types. It's awesome! I have a new respect for '80's movies...The Manhattan Project and the Outsides, too...Great Decade in Film! '80's movies are just so out there!

    AWW-age 15

    3 out of 5 stars Truly HILARIOUS movie!.......2006-03-13

    I really love this movie, but I can't tell you why. Somehow, the pace, the performances and the music combine magically to put me in a good mood. In fact, I think if War Games hadn't come out at about the same time, this would have been a box office smash.

    But let's be clear on one thing: there's no way the director, the actors and everyone else involved with this movie didn't know it was sheer camp nonsense, and I can prove it to you.

    First of all, there's no way a kid can throw together some plutonium, a strobe, and a few salad bowls in a CAT BOX and make a nuclear weapon. It takes a huge investment and an INFRASTRUCTURE to even get started. Steve Jobs put together a computer in his garage but HE HAD THE CHIPS ALREADY, fergawdsake. Shoot, maybe Iraq should just hire good ol' Paul. POOF -- instant super power! ;) ;) ;)

    But the clincher -- the thing that really proves the cast was fully aware of all the silliness -- was the scene where the Lieutenant Colonel is using binoculars to view Paul in the room as he starts to assemble his little science project. The kid just WALKED INTO THE ROOM. Big hairy goons with guns were chasing him. A few minutes later Lithgow walked into the room. WHY DIDN'T THE HAIRY GOONS WALK INTO THE ROOM TOO?? Why didn't they just point their guns at Pauly-baby and grab the bloody bomb before he activates it!?!?!?

    I start laughing every time about five minutes before this scene comes up. But Lithgow was terrific and Cynthia Nixon was babalicious. How did they keep from cracking up?

    3 out of 5 stars manhattan project movie review.......2005-06-15

    good movie, good development teen romance..teen boy genius..teen girl smart too...end of world predictaments...
    The Manhattan Project
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • For sophisticated listener
    		The Manhattan Project
    Starring: Wayne Shorter , and Michel Petrucciani
    Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B00076YOZE
    Release Date: 2005-02-01

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars For sophisticated listener .......2006-09-01

    This is probably the best concert DVD I own! I had the CD from the same concert for a long time and I was dreaming about being THERE in the audience. Now I have my dream on my big sceen! Three words to describe : Perfection, perfection, and perfection. Sound quality is superb. Image is HD. I was absolutely shocked by the vocal of Rachelle Ferrell in classic "Atumn Leaves" (not on CD). All the musicians are the masters of their instruments. This is the supergroup of jazz:
    Wayne Shorter, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Michael Petrucciani are the core of the band but Pete Levin and Gil Goldstein are adding the fantastic moody background sound. If you own the CD you must get this DVD. There is slightly different material on them. This kind of music I would take to a deserted island.
    DVD Modern Marvels THE MANHATTAN PROJECT AAE-72072 THE HISTORY CHANNEL
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		DVD Modern Marvels THE MANHATTAN PROJECT AAE-72072 THE HISTORY CHANNEL

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      1. The Manhattan Project

      ASIN: B000K1438Y

      Product Description

      The explosion took place, appropriately, in an area of the New Mexico desert called jornada del muerto--the journey of death. At 5:30 AM on July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated and a new era began. MODERN MARVELS® draws on government files, archival footage and the memories of many surviving team members to tell the extraordinary story of THE MANHATTAN PROJECT. It's an in-depth portrait of one of the most impressive scientific, engineering and manufacturing projects in human history, made all the more compelling because of its ethical implications. In just 28 months, the United States created a nationwide industry that consumed $30 billion in today's dollars and one-tenth of the nation's electricity, and delivered the deadliest weapon that mankind had ever conceived. Yet when the scientists and dignitaries gathered in that remote desert nearly 60 years ago, few had any real idea of what they had created. Among the people interviewed for this program are General Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay over Hiroshima, the past and present directors of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the official Manhattan Project photographer.
      Charlie Rose with Joseph Rotblat; David O. Russell; Jay McInerny; Noah Adams (May 10, 1996)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Charlie Rose with Joseph Rotblat; David O. Russell; Jay McInerny; Noah Adams (May 10, 1996)

        Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
        ProductGroup: DVD
        Binding: DVD

        ( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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        ASIN: B000JCF342
        Release Date: 2006-10-05

        Description

        First, Physicist Joseph Rotblat was the only scientist to leave the Manhattan Project before the A-bomb was tested. Ten years later, he signed the historic Russell-Einstein Manifesto. It called for the end to all nuclear weapons and was the beginning of Rotblat's fifty year fight for total nuclear disarmament. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 and tonight he talks to Charlie about his cause. Then, filmmaker David O. Russell discusses his new film, Flirting With Disaster. It is about a young father's search for his biological parents, which sends him on a cross-country trek. Also, author Jay McInerny's 1984 debut, Bright Lights, Big City chronicled the excess of the 1980s and made him an overnight success. More than a decade later, he talks to Charlie about the dawn of a new century and his latest book, The Last of the Savages. Finally, Noah Adams, host of National Public Radio's All Things Considered, talks about his experience learning the piano at age 51 and the book it led to, Piano Lessons: Music, Love and True Adventures.
        Horoshima - History Channel's 60th Anniversary
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Horoshima - History Channel's 60th Anniversary

          Manufacturer: A&E
          ProductGroup: DVD
          Binding: DVD

          World War IIWorld War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video
          CollectiblesCollectibles | Categories |
          Product Features:
          • Hiroshima: The Decision To Drop the Bomb
          • Tech Effect: Hiroshima
          • Biography: J. Robert Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb
          • Man, Moment, Machine: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb
          • Modern Marvels: The Manhattan Project

          ASIN: B000P1AWRK

          Product Description

          Hiroshima 60th Anniversary Commemorative DVD Set It was a decision that resulted in the immediate incineration of hundreds of thousands of civilians - and forever changed the way humanity would view war, and it's terrible costs. Join THE HISTORY CHANNEL as we examine the people and events surrounding the decision that launched the age of nuclear warfare. 2-DVD set includes: Hiroshima: The Decision To Drop the Bomb - An in-depth historical investigation into the decision to drop the atomic bomb - and a look at it's military and moral implications. Tech Effect: Hiroshima - Explore the extraordinary technology surrounding the development of the world's first uranium fission bomb. Biography: J. Robert Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb - Scientist, philosopher, and a reader of Sanskrit and French poetry - this is a probing look at the man who built the bomb. Man, Moment, Machine: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb - A scientist, a war, and a bomb. Examine the three parts in a complex equasion that resulted in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Modern Marvels: The Manhattan Project - Take a look at the inner-workings of the top-secret project that constructed history's deadliest weapon - the atomic bomb.
          Bomb for the Soviets - Mysteries of the Century/ Bomba dlya Sovetov - Tainy Veka
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Bomb for the Soviets - Mysteries of the Century/ Bomba dlya Sovetov - Tainy Veka

            ProductGroup: DVD
            Binding: DVD

            GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
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            ASIN: B00078MCH4

            Product Description

            Language (Audio): Russian; No subtitles; No zone restriction; Documentary, Russia, 2003, 39 min; Format: 4:3
            Joseph Stalin. A Line in the Testament - Mysteries of the Century/ Iosif Stalin. Stroka v Zaveshanii - Tainy Veka
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Joseph Stalin. A Line in the Testament - Mysteries of the Century/ Iosif Stalin. Stroka v Zaveshanii - Tainy Veka

              ProductGroup: DVD
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              ASIN: B0007DAAPA

              Product Description

              Language: Russian; No subtitles; No zone restriction; Documentary; Russia, 2003, 39 min; Format: 4:3

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